Powder dispensing can



Aug. 31, 1937. F. L. DARLING 5r AL 2,091,911

POWDER DISPENSING can Filed April 13, 1936' 1 D FTanZZhBarZing 7 GZ en FDou Zz'n/y 7 7 We;

Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE POWDER DISPENSING CAN Application April 13, 1936, Serial No. 74,199

15 Claims.

Our invention relates to powder dispensing cans and particularly to those used for tooth powder. Primarily, the invention has for its object to provide a can with a valve for delivering, directly onto the bristles of the tooth brush, a measured quantity of powder without the necessity of jarring or shaking the can, so that the powder may all be deposited on the brush without spilling over, thereby reducing waste of powder to the minimum.

Further, it is an object to provide a can with a reciprocable measuring and dispensing valve which can be moved to open or closed positions by the thumb and finger of the same hand which holds the can, leaving the users other hand fre to hold the brush, if desired.

Again, it is an object to provide a can with a dispensing valve device as a part of the can top, such device being simple in its construction, inexpensive to manufacture and which will readily and effectively serve its intended purposes.

Qther objects will in part be obvious and in part generally pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further resides in those novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in the following detailed description, then be pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing; in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in use.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail elevation of the upper portion of the can with its top in place and embodying the preferred form of the invention.

Figure 3 is a. top plan view of the parts shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the can top with the valve and valve guide hood removed.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a 6-55 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a detail perspective view of the valve member proper.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the valve guide and retaining hood.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of our invention.

Figure 10 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 11 is an enlarged cross section on the line ll--ll of Figure 9. In the drawing, in

transverse section on the line which like numerals and letters of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures, I represents the can which may be of any desired shape. It is provided with a top 2 that has a spout 3, the spout in the preferred embodiment of the invention being elongated and of rectangular form. The top of the spout is provided with a slot 4 through which the tooth powder P is discharged from the can. Adjacent the spout 3 the can top 2 is provided with slots 5 to receive the tongues l of a rectangular hood 6, the tongues being bent under to hold the hood tightly in place.

9 indicates a valve member which in the preferred embodiment of the invention is formed of bakelite, or other similar material, whereby the valve member may be molded in one piece. It consists of a rod-like body having heads H! which act as stops against the ends of the hood t and spout 3. It also includes a portion it cut away to provide a recess that is open at three sides, the ends of the recess being formed by the outwardly bevelled or inclined surfaces W. The hood 6 is provided with an indentation or depression 8 and as the hood is made of somewhat springy metal the depression, together with the springiness of the hood, serves as a means of holding the valve member down tightly into powder-tight contact with the upper face of the spout 3 so that when the solid portion of the valve member 9 is'over the slot or opening t, it will close the same tightly enough to prevent the powder being sifted out. The slot or opening 4 is so located with respect to the recess portion i l of the valve member that when the valve member is pushed in one direction to bring the recess of the valve member inwardly the slot 5 and recess it will register. By turning the can upside down and giving it a slight shake the recess will then be filled with powder. The user then turns the can to the position shown in Figure 1 and pushes the valve in an opposite direction to move the recessed portion outwardly and thus permit the charge of powder freely to drop onto the bristles of the brush.

Since the recess'in the valve member is open on three sides and the ends are bevelled it is impossible for the powder charge to lodge or hang up in the recess. Therefore, it is not necessary to shake or jar the can or valve in order to effect the discharge of the powder onto the brush Since the powder freely detaches itself from the valve and drops onto the brush without the necessity of jarring or shaking the can it falls on the bristles of the brush in a more or less compact lump and does not scatter and spill over the sides of the brush. Hence with our invention a smaller quantity of powder need be discharged at each operation than is necessary with those cans heretofore known which are provided with dispensing valves, since in all or such cans with 5 which we are Iamiliar there is a tendency of the powder to collect in the valve pocket and make it necessary to jar the can more or less in order to dislodge the charge of powder. This jarring of the can causes the powder to spread as it is disl charged and much of it is wasted by discharging over the side of the brush rather than directly on top of bristles.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11 is indicated a somewhat modified construction of the invention. In this 15 form it is adapted to the use of those powder cans which employ a round or cylindrical spout 312 on the top in. In this form of the invention those parts which correspond in purpose and function to like parts in preceding figures bear 20 the same reference numeral plus the index letter a so a further description of those parts is thought to be unnecessary. In this embodiment of the invention the valve guide I4 is in the form of a rectangular tube in which the valve member 9a. 25 is fitted with a snug holding fit. One of the heads Illa of the valve member is of necessity made separate from the remainder of the valve member so that the parts may be assembled after which the head is secured in place in any 30 approved way, as by cementing (when the valve member is made of bakelite or like material, or by spot-welding or soldering, if the valve member is made of metal). It is immaterial to the invention how the heads Illa are fastened to the valve member 9 in this latter embodiment of the invention. The valve guide It has a slot l3 through which the powder is passed to the recessed portion of the valve. The spout 3a has a transverse opening, the metal being bent inwardly as at It: 40 to form the slotway IS in which the tubular valve guide l4 fits snugly.

The operation of this form of the invention is practically the same as that of the preceding form so a further description is believed to be 45 unnecessary.

' In Figure 1 is shown the method of depositing the powder P on the tooth brush B. By reference to this figure it will be seen that the user holds the can in his hand and employs his thumb and 50 first finger to move the valve member back and forth. The tooth brush may be laid on a support while the powder is being dispensed or it maybe held in the other hand of the user, as desired.

It should be understood that the valve member 55 is held in its guide or hood with suflicient friction to prevent its moving back and forth during the ordinary handling and transporting of the can but not so tight as to prevent its being moved by the user when he desires to dispense a charge 60 of tooth powder onto the brush.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thought the complete construction, operation and advantages of our invention will be readily under- 65 stood by those skilled in the art.

What we claim is:

1. In a powder dispensing can of the class described, a top having a spout provided with an opening, a rod-dike valve member, means to hold 70 said valve member to said spout in cooperative relation to the opening therein, said valve member being endwise movable and provided with a recess open on three sides adapted to be projected beyond said holding means, the recess serving to 75 receive a charge of powder when the valve is in one position and to permit the charge to drop out when the valve is in another position.

2. In a powder dispensing can, a can top having an elongated spout portion with a flat top and provided with an opening in the fiat top, a hood held over said spout, a bar-valve movable endwise in said hood and of greater length than the hood, said bar-valve having stops to limit the bars movement, said bar-valve having a portion serving as a closure for said opening, and having a recessed portion open on three sides to register with said opening and receive a charge of powder when said bar-valve is in one position with said recess in said hood and drop the powder from said recess when the valve is in another position with said recess outside of said hood.

3. In a powder dispensing can, a can top having an elongated spout portion with a fiat top and provided with an opening in the fiat top, a hood held over said spout, a bar-valve movable endwise in said hood and of greater length than the hood, said bar-valve having stops to limit the bars movement, said bar-valve having a recessed portion open on three sides to register with said opening and receive a charge of powder when said bar-valve is in one position with said recess in said hood and drop the powder from said recess when the valve is in another position with said recess outside of said hood, said bar-valve at the ends of said recess being bevelled outwardly to one side.

4. In a powder dispensing can, a can top having an elongated spout portion with a fiat top and provided with an opening in the fiat top, a hood held over said spout, a bar-valve movable endwise in said hood and of greater length than the hood, said bar-valve having stops to limit the bars movement, said bar-valve having a recessed portion open on three sides to register with said opening and receive a charge of powder when said bar-valve is in one position with said recess in said hood and drop the powder from said recess when the valve is in another position with said recess outside of said hood, said bar-valve at the ends or said recess being bevelled outwardly to one side, and means to hold the bar-valve down over the spout opening in powder-tight contact with said spout portion.

5. In a powder dispensing can, a can top having a rectangular elongated spout portion whose top and sides are fiat and which is provided with a discharge opening in its top, a bar of rectangular cross section and of greater length than the length of said spout and including a solid portion and a recessed portion, the recessed portion being open on three sides, an inverted U-shaped hood fitted over said bar and the sides of said spout, means securing said hood to said can top to hold said bar against the top of said spout portion as a valve for closing said discharge opening and with said recess outside of said hood when the bar is in one position and for holding said bar with its recessed portion over said discharge opening when the bar is in another position, said bar being movable back and forth endwise by the thumb and finger of the hand of the person holding the can for the purpose described.

6. In a powder dispensing can, a can top having a rectangular elongated spout portion whose top and sides are fiat and which is provided with a discharge opening in its top, a bar of rectangular cross section and of greater length than the length of said spout and including a solid portion and a recessed portion, the recessed portion being open on three sides, an inverted U-shaped hood fitted over said bar and means securing said hood to said can top to hold said bar against the top of said spout portion as a valve for closing said discharge opening and with said recess outside of said hood when the bar is in one position and for holding said bar with its recessed portion over said discharge opening when the bar is in another position, said bar being movable back and forth endwise by the thumb and finger oi the hand of the person holding the can, said U-shapcd hood member having resilient provisions for holding said bar member in powdertight contact with said spout portion.

7. In a powder dispensing can, a top having a spout provided with an elongated tubular guide open at its ends, and having a port intermediate the ends to communicate with the interior of the can, a rod-like valve member held in said guide for endwise movement, said rod-like valve member comprising a solid portion and a portion forming a recess open on three sides and constructed so that when the valve member is'in one position the solid portion will close said port and when said valve member is in another position said recess will register with said port, said valve member being movable to move said recess portion out of said guide to discharge the contents of the recessed portion and at the same time close said port.

8. A powder dispensing can including a top having a rectangular elongated spout with parallel side walls and a fiat top wall, the latter being provided with a discharge aperture, said top having slots adjacent said parallel side walls, a barvalve lying on the top of said spout and including a solid portion and a recessed portion open on three sides for alternately closing said discharge aperture and opening the same to receive in the recessed portion a charge of powder, a hood mem- 40 ber fitted over said bar-valve and the sides of said spout portion and having tongues to enter the slots in said hood, the tongues being bent under to secure said hood member to said can top, said hood member having provisions for pressing said valve member into powder-tight contact with the side Walls and a top wall of said spout portion, and means to limit the endwise movement of said valve member.

9. A powder dispensing can including a top having a rectangular elongated spout with parallel flat top wall, the latter being provided with a discharge aperture, said top having slots adjacent said parallel side walls, a barvalve lying on top of said spout and including a solid portion and a recessed portion open on three sides for alternately closing said discharge aperture and opening the same to receive in the recessed portion a charge of powder, a hood member fitted over said bar-valve and the sides of said spout portion and having tongues to enter the slots in said hood, the tongues being bent under to secure said hood member to said can top, said hood member having provisions for pressing said valve member into powder-tight contact with the top wall of said spout portion, means to limit the 5 endwise movement of said valve member, the recessed portion of said valve member having outwardly bevelled walls in virtue of which the charge of powder may drop freely from the recess when the valve is in the dispensing position.

10. In a powder dispensing can, a can top having a rectangular elongated spout portion whose top and sides are flat and which is provided with a discharge opening in its top, a bar of rectangular cross section and of greater length than the 75 length of said spout and including a solid porthe sides of said spout,

tion and a recessed portion, an inverted U-shaped hood fitted over said bar and the sides of said spout, means securing said hood to said can top to hold said bar against the top of said spout portion as a valve for closing said discharge opening and with said recess outside of said hood when the bar is in one position and for holding said bar with its recessed portion over said discharge opening when the bar is in another position, said bar being movable back and forth endwise by the thumb and finger of the hand of the person holding the can, said U-shaped hood member having resilient provisions for holding said bar member in powder-tight contact with said spout portion.

11. In a powder dispensing can, a top having a spout provided with an elongated tubular guide open at its ends, and having a port intermediate the ends to communicate with the interior of the can, a rod-like valve member held in said guide for endwise movement, said rod-like valve member comprising a solid portion and a portion forming 'a recess and constructed so that when the valve member is in one position the solid portion will close said port and when said valve member is in another position said recess will register with said port, said valve member being movable to move said recess portion out of said guide to discharge the contents of the recessed portion and at the same time close said port.

12. In a powder dispensing can, a can top provided with an opening, a valve member, means surrounding said valve member for holding the same against said top in co-operating relation with the opening therein, said valve member Ming provided with a recess open on three sides, and being movable from a, position with said recess within said holder in register with said opening to receive a charge of powder, to a position with said recess outside of said holder to permit the charge to drop from said recess.

13. A powder dispensing can including a top provided with an opening, a valve member mounted on said top for movement externally of the can body, means surrounding said valve member for holding the same against said top in cooperating relation with the opening therein, said valve member being provided with a powder receiving recess and being movable from one position with said recess within said holder in register with said opening to receive a charge of powder, to a position with said recess outside of said holder to permit the charge to drop from said recess.

14. A powder dispensing can including a top provided with an opening, a valve member mounted on said top for movement externally of the can body, means surrounding said valve member for holding the same against said top in cooperating relation with the opening therein, said valve member being provided with a powder receiving recess open on two sides, said holding means closing at least one of said sides when said valve is in position with said recess within said holder to form therewith a chamber to receive powder through said opening from the interior of the can, said valve being movable to a position with a recess outside of said holder to permit the charge to drop from said recess.

15. A powder dispensing can including a top provided with an opening, a valve memberv mounted on said top for movement externally of the can body, means surrounding said valve member for holding the same against said top in cooperating relation with the opening there= in, said valve member being provided with a terior of the can, said valve being movable to a powder receiving recess open on three sides, position with said recess outside of said holder said holding means closing two of said sides when to permit the charge to drop from said recess, said valve is in position with said recess within 5 said holder to form therewith a chamber to re- F'RANK L. DARLING. ceive powder through said opening fromthe in- GLEN F. DARLING. 

